What should the Church look like?
Daniel JusticeShare
The Biblical Blueprint for the Church
The Bible gives us a clear and comprehensive vision for the church, emphasizing that Scripture alone is sufficient to guide its nature, structure, governance, and practices. This principle, often called the sufficiency of Scripture in ecclesiology (the study of the church), asserts that human traditions, hierarchies, or innovations should not supersede the biblical model. Drawing from key passages like Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 4, and 1 Timothy 3, we can outline what the church should look like according to the New Testament.
We'll explore the biblical ideals for the church's nature, structure, ordinances, mission, unity, leadership, discipline, and evangelism. We'll then contrast these with common features of the typical modern church, highlighting where deviations occur and why a return to Scripture might be beneficial.
The Nature of the Church: A Called-Out Community of Believers
Biblically, the church (from the Greek ekklesia, meaning "assembly" or "called-out ones") is not a building or institution but a spiritual body of believers united in Christ. Jesus declares in Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," portraying it as a resilient, Christ-founded entity advancing against spiritual darkness. The early church in Acts 2:42-47 exemplifies this as a devoted fellowship: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers... And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
"This nature emphasizes organic community, mutual care, and spiritual vitality over formal structures. The church is depicted as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), where each member contributes uniquely, fostering interdependence rather than individualism.
In contrast, many modern Protestant churches treat the church more like a corporate entity or social club. Services often revolve around professional productions with stages, lighting, and entertainment elements, prioritizing attendee experience over communal devotion. While some maintain a focus on teaching, the emphasis on "seeker-friendly" models can dilute the sense of a "called-out" community, making church feel more like an event than a family. This shift often stems from cultural adaptations rather than strict adherence to biblical patterns.
The Structure and Leadership: Biblical Eldership and Servant Roles
Scripture outlines a simple, local-church-centered structure without overarching hierarchies. Leadership consists of elders (also called overseers or pastors) and deacons. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 provide qualifications for elders: they must be above reproach, faithful in marriage, temperate, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, and manage their households well. Elders shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-4), teaching sound doctrine and protecting against false teaching. Deacons serve practical needs, as seen in Acts 6:1-7.
Ephesians 4:11-16 describes Christ gifting apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry, promoting maturity and unity. This model rejects top-down control, favoring plurality of elders in each local assembly (Acts 14:23) and congregational involvement in decisions (Acts 15:22).
Modern Protestant churches often diverge here. Many denominations impose hierarchical structures, such as bishops overseeing multiple congregations or national bodies dictating policies, echoing traditions the biblical model rejects. Even in non-denominational settings, a single "senior pastor" can dominate like a CEO, with decisions centralized rather than shared among elders. This can lead to personality-driven ministries, where charisma overshadows character qualifications, contrasting the Bible's emphasis on humble, qualified servant-leaders.
The Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper as Symbols of Faith
The Bible prescribes two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper, both as outward signs of inward realities. Baptism, commanded in Matthew 28:19, symbolizes identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). It is for believers, typically by immersion, as seen in the early church (Acts 2:41; 8:36-38).
The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26), commemorates His sacrifice through bread and wine, fostering remembrance, self-examination, and unity. Acts 2:42 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 show it as a regular, communal meal, not a ritualistic sacrament.
These ordinances are simple, Christ-centered acts administered in the local church without elaborate ceremonies.
In typical modern churches, practices vary widely. Some denominations practice infant baptism (paedobaptism), rooted in tradition rather than explicit biblical command, contrasting believer's baptism. The Lord's Supper might be observed infrequently or in a formal, individualistic manner (pre-packaged elements passed in rows), losing the communal intimacy of early church meals. Mega-churches might integrate it into themed services, adding elements like music or videos, which can overshadow its solemn, scriptural purpose.
The Mission: Evangelism, Discipleship, and World Impact
The church's mission is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), proclaiming the gospel and teaching obedience to Christ's commands. Acts 1:8 calls believers to be witnesses "to the end of the earth," with evangelism as a core activity (2 Timothy 4:5). This includes caring for the needy (James 1:27) and pursuing holiness as a witness to the world.
Unity and discipline support this mission. Ephesians 4:1-6 urges maintaining "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," grounded in shared doctrine. Discipline, as in Matthew 18:15-20 and 1 Corinthians 5, involves loving correction to restore sinners and protect the church's purity.
Modern churches often excel in evangelism through programs like outreach events or missions trips, but the focus can shift to numerical growth or social justice initiatives that sometimes eclipse gospel proclamation. Unity is challenged by denominational divisions and cultural debates, leading to fragmented bodies rather than the biblical ideal of oneness. Discipline is rarely practiced publicly, with many churches avoiding confrontation to maintain attendance, resulting in unchecked sin and a diluted witness, contrary to Scripture's call for holiness.
Unity, Discipline, and Evangelism: Core Practices for a Healthy Church
Biblical unity is doctrinal and relational, not uniformity in preferences (Romans 15:5-6). Leadership fosters this through equipping, as in Ephesians 4. Discipline ensures accountability, with evangelism flowing from a healthy, unified body.
In contrast, modern church organizations often prioritizes inclusivity over doctrinal purity, leading to "big tent" approaches where core beliefs are downplayed. Evangelism might rely on marketing tactics rather than Spirit-empowered witness, and discipline is outsourced to counseling or ignored, fostering consumerism over commitment.
Returning to Scripture's Sufficiency
The Bible's model for the church is timeless: a vibrant community built on Christ, led by qualified elders, practicing simple ordinances, and pursuing a mission of discipleship amid unity and discipline. It rejects extra-biblical hierarchies and traditions, relying on Scripture alone for governance.
While modern churches offer valuable community and innovation, they often incorporate elements like professionalized structures, entertainment-driven worship, and relaxed discipline that stray from this blueprint. These adaptations may stem from good intentions to reach contemporary culture, but they risk compromising the church's distinctiveness. By realigning with biblical patterns, churches can rediscover the power and simplicity of the early church, fulfilling their role as the pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). For those seeking reform, studying these passages directly can provide a roadmap back to Scripture's sufficient guidance.